Did recommend 2 names for asylum in US: INLD

Malhan said: “In such recommendations, we just mention that they are our party workers and their voice should be heard. However, before mentioning the same, we properly verify their association with the party from the party leaders of the area concerned.”

According to Malhan, it’s the job of the persons concerned to pursue their case with the authorities of the USA through a legal channel. Malhan insisted that the recent letter to the US authorities has been written to inform them about the possible misuse of the party’s letterhead and other documents to seek asylum in the USA. The INLD leader said probably such forged documents are used to seek asylum in the USA while alleging “atrocities on the applicants in India”.

In his letter addressed to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on June 10, Malhan mentioned: “…a number of persons from Haryana (India) are submitting forged documents for getting asylum in the USA. They are living in the USA without any valid documents and to get the citizenship of your country. They get forged documents in the name of Indian National Lok Dal which is a regional party of Haryana (India).”

“Some mischievous person prepares the false documents by getting a big amount of money and the same are being submitted to your good office. The office of Indian National Lok Dal situated at Chandigarh (India) is only authorised for documents and… (anyone else is not) authorised by this office to write to your … department,” the letter added.

The INLD leader wrote: “This office has issued the documents for asylum only for two persons and all other documents submitted to your justice department are forged. In future, I request you to get verified from this office whether the documents submitted for asylum are genuine or not.” He also hoped that the US authorities will go through his request so that this “malpractice” is stopped forthwith.

According to Malhan, they have been receiving reports about such practice for the past several months. “We have heard that forget documents including the INLD’s letterhead and identity cards are prepared to seek asylum in the USA and the money ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 is charged from the applicant. We took such reports seriously because the same affects the image of the party.”

The INLD leaders claim the fraudsters have probably taken the idea of cheating the applicants from a political outfit of a neighbouring state which is known for making such recommendations. They also claim that the USA authorities take seriously the recommendations sent on behalf of the INLD.

The INLD ruled Haryana from 1999 to 2005 and it was the principal opposition party in the state between 2005 and 2019. However, it could win just one Assembly seat in 2019 Vidhan Sabha polls after the party faced a split following a bitter infighting in the Chautala family.

The INLD has written the letter to the US authorities at a time when around 700 Indians are facing deportation from Canada over a case of fake documents. Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had assured the Punjab government on June 8 that the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in Canada would help the Indians facing deportation. Most of them are from Punjab, and have claimed they were defrauded by their immigration agent, who sent them to Canada on forged college admission offer letters.

Earlier, Punjab Minister of NRI Affairs, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, had sought Jaishankar’s intervention in the issue, saying the students were victims of fraud.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also assured the 700 Indians that each case will be evaluated individually and they will be given the opportunity to present their case.